I’ve learned a lot during my 60-plus years on this earth. I’ve learned that missing a two-foot putt isn’t the end of the world. Nor is a last-second Iowa Hawkeye loss. I’ve learned that it’s not necessary to call 911 when the lawnmower catches on fire, and it’s not worth yelling obscenities in the parking lot after locking the keys in the car. But mostly what I’ve learned is that worrying about the little things in life is nothing more than a waste of time.

When I was laid off at the company I worked for at the age of 60, I felt like my life was over. I felt old and worthless. It took some time, but I came to the realization that everything happens for a reason. As the saying goes, “When one door shuts, another one opens.” That has been true in my case. I am able to do something now that I wished I could have done all my life – write. To write about people, places, events, memories, friends, and above all, family.

Mostly what I have learned is to take the time to appreciate the things in life that I had always taken for granted – like kids. My wife and I raised three sons who all turned out to be great adults of whom we are proud. And yet I regret missing out on what could have been some everlasting memories. I was too busy caring about my job, trying for that promotion, and worrying about saving enough money for the boys’ college funds and our retirement.

If I had it to do all over again I would spend much more time enjoying my kids. Especially during that small but precious window of time when they discovered the world around them and were old enough to comment on their observations, while young enough to still think mom and dad were cool.

It is only now that I realize how special kids are at that age. They are loving, sincere, inquisitive and thoroughly honest. Sometimes painfully so, as my friend Patty Roche recently found out. When she turned 60, she asked her grandson Jack one day, “Does Nannie look old?” To which Jack promptly answered, “Yes.”

Somewhat taken aback, Patty then proceeded to ask her grandson if his Grandpa John looked old. Although John was the same age as Patty and had a full head of gray hair, Jack calmly replied, “No.”

She then asked Jack if his other grandparents looked old. “No,” he said. Now Patty was getting concerned. Why did her grandson look upon her as old and not others her age? She began to regret having asked him the question in the first place when he looked up at her with those innocent deep blue eyes and said, “Nannie, when are you going to get new again?”

Patty couldn’t help but smile, and share the story with her friends. For those are the moments to cherish. Those are the moments when we realize that a child is a priceless gift that we should treasure. That we should cling to every moment and savor it, for it is gone before we know it.

I was going for a walk one afternoon when I came across a young boy standing by his bike. He had a worried look on his face so I decided to stop and ask him if he was OK. “See that tower, mister?” he said, pointing to the water tower that had stood in our neighborhood for years. “If that falls, we’re all gonna drown.”

Obviously someone, maybe an older brother, tried to scare him by telling him the tower was filled with water and that if it should fall over, major flooding would result. In the past, I might have kept walking, oblivious to his problem. But I took the time to explain to him that the tower had been there since I was his age, showed him the pillars that supported it, and convinced him that those pillars would keep us safe.

“You promise?” he said.

“I promise,” I answered. And off he went on his bike, content. While it was only a brief moment, it was one I will always remember. I made his day a little better, and in return, he made mine a little more meaningful.

I have two granddaughters and a grandson. I have learned to appreciate them for what they are – a gift from God. They are something that money cannot buy. One day several years ago, my granddaughter Allison, who was about the same age as Patty’s grandson Jack, said to me, “Papa, we’ll always be friends.” I wrote it down on a piece of paper and put it in my wallet. I take it out and read it every day.

Laws will Improve Safety in Nursing Homes, Increase Staffing and Quality Standards, and Fight Fraud and Abuse

Governor Pat Quinn recently signed historic legislation that transforms Illinois’ system of care for frail older adults and persons with
disabilities. The new law is the product of months of research and deliberation initiated by the Nursing Home Safety Task Force that Governor Quinn appointed in October. The task force was charged with ensuring all Illinois nursing home residents are safe and receive the treatment appropriate for their condition.

“Today begins a new era of nursing home care in Illinois,” said Governor Quinn. “Older adults who require 24-hour care deserve a safe, high-quality home, and persons with mental illness must have the care and treatment they need to live full and productive lives in their communities. This law protects Illinois’ most vulnerable adults.”

Senate Bill 326, sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (DChicago), resulted from strong collaboration between state agencies, members of the Illinois General Assembly, advocates, home and community based service providers, residents and the nursing home profession, led by Governor Quinn’s Nursing Home Safety Task Force. The new law remakes the system of admission to nursing homes, ensuring that only those in need of 24-hour skilled care are admitted. The law also strengthens the screening process to prevent residents with violent criminal histories from being placed with vulnerable, older adults. The law sets higher nursing home quality and staffing requirements, raises penalties for violations, and increases inspections and monitoring. The new law also requires nursing homes to help all residents achieve their highest level of functioning and prepare to transition to more independent, community-based living.

Governor Quinn also signed Senate Bill 2863, sponsored by Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) and Rep. Harry Osterman (D-Chicago), which will reduce fraud and abuse in nursing homes. An initiative of theOffice of the Attorney General, the law requires prompt reporting of fraud, abuse and neglect in nursing homes, broadens the definition of criminal neglect, and requires greater disclosure by nursing home owners.

“We have to do everything we can to protect vulnerable nursing home residents and make sure they are safe,” said Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. “These bills significantly strengthen the process for protecting nursing home residents from those who may pose a threat. And they provide us with critical tools needed to target nursing home fraud.”

Governor Quinn formed the Nursing Home Safety Task Force in October 2009, to respond to concerns for the safety of nursing home
residents by thoroughly examining current regulatory policies and coordination among state agencies, and identifying necessary changes in legislation, regulation and policy. The task force held public meetings, heard testimony from more than 50 advocates, academic experts, nursing home residents and their families, and gathered hundreds of public comments through an interactive Web site, www.nursinghomesafety.illinois.gov.
Both laws go into effect immediately.

Contributed by Gail McPike and Toni Hall

Close your eyes and imagine the 100 greatest vacation destinations on the planet. Come on concentrate. Think vacation, get-a-way, fun, and family. Via mental telepathy we see your list – Orlando, Ocean Beach, Vail, Hot Springs and Hollywood are on your list. But before you rush over to the airport and plunk down your hard earned cash, join us as we present – The Ultimate North West Iowa Vacation. But, first let us set the stage.

Hubby Frank was called upon to conduct a workshop in Vermillion, South Dakota and somewhere along the way, he decided it would be a good vacation trip. Now understand, Frank didn’t know where exactly Vermillion was located or what kind of place it might be. On the fateful evening before his arrival date, the four of us packed into the car and headed northwest – no map, no preparation… no nothing.

We routed ourselves to South Dakota via I-80, but somewhere just west of Walnut, Iowa (a wonderful town full of antique shops—by the way) we decided to go scenic. The remainder of the trip was spent on two lane highways seeing the USA the old fashioned way.

We hung around Vermillion for a couple of days. It’s a sleepy little college town of 10 thousand souls. As we checked out Main Street (the real address not a figure of speech) we discovered the local yarn and wool expert and visited at her shop. Proving once more, there are fiber artists everywhere.

The North West Passage
We wormed our way home via windmill dotted northwest Iowa. We saw miles and miles of new technology windmills spinning in the hot summer sun. At one point just 20 miles shy of Storm Lake, we drove a couple of miles down a gravel road and across a corn field to get a
closer look at a wind turbine. They stand 300 feet tall and the blades are over a hundred feet long. The center part is bigger than a car, but they look little off in the distance.

We stopped for the night in Storm Lake. This is a farming town built around a large natural lake. For years the lake was not commercialized, but recently the city built King’s Point Resort and Water Park. We met a teenage girl who worked there for the summer and the next thing we knew we were checking in. The hotel is modern and the view from our balcony was, well…, very vacation-like.

The Okoboji Roller Coaster Massacre
The next morning we set off to see another of Iowa’s great lakes – Okoboji. At Okoboji is one of the oldest continually operating
amusement parks in North America. This place was started up at the turn of the century and features the 13th oldest wood framed roller coaster in existence – The Legend. Did we mention we survived a ride? Okoboji is home to the site of the Spirit Lake Massacre. The museum was closed, but hey it’s Iowa, and we met the museum curator (and local historian) who stopped by to grab some mail on his way to the grocery store.,He related some very interesting tales and connected the Massacre to the Indian lore of QCA’s Camp McClellan and Arsenal Island.

Let’s do a hundred mile fast forward – Casey’s, cornfields, pastures, Minnesota, Toni takes picture of her first visit to Minnesota, more cornfields, Buffalo Center, more windmills, Winnebago factory, Clear Lake, Buddy Holly, plane crash, Surf Ballroom, bootleggers and the Northwest Steakhouse.
Frank Lloyd Wright

Our vacation concluded with a stop at Mason City because of the history of Frank Lloyd Wright there. The Park View Inn is the only remaining hotel in the world designed by Wright. It is being completely renovated so we could only look on the proceedings from outside the construction zone. We will go back to see the outcome of the work. We saw the prairie style Stockman House that was designed by Wright in 1908 and then looked several prairie style homes in the area designed by colleagues and disciples of Wright. What an amazing sight to see century old houses that look as modern as these homes appear. Mason City has published a walking historical tour that allows the visitor to learn about the architecture of these lovely homes. The QCA could/should do something similar. And if you want to see more of the Frank Lloyd Wright designs and their renovations – check out www.wrightiniowa.com .

Our Great State Fair
We made our annual sojourn (with current trophy husbands Phil and Frank) to the Iowa State Fair. Truly this has become one of our favorite events of the year. Normally we drive over and back in the same day, but this year we decided to experience the Fair twice – after dark and in the early morning. Well we missed the early part, but we did get to the Fairgrounds before noon.

Our annual “fair fare” report:
Pork Chops on a Stick – very tasty but perhaps a bit too healthy
Giant Tenderloin – a pound of breaded pork on a bun, your typical 5,000 calorie sandwich
Grinder Sandwich – if these don’t cause a heart attack, the heart burn will
Watermelon on a Stick – good for you, but not as good tasting as a funnel cake
Twinkie on a Stick – these and fried Snickers on a stick are the lost food group

Once more, we entered a number of items in the knitting and fiber arts contests. Hubbies milled around, kicking and spitting while, we spent hours eyeballing the fabric and thread displays. After the knitting stuff we decided to trace the yarn to its source. We ankled our way over to the sheep barn and looked over the fiber breeds.

A final word on the Fair – Pitchmen.
Guys like Ron Popeil and Vince the Sham Wow guy have to get their start somewhere. The shopper’s mart under the main grandstand is the last bastion for “live” demonstrations. They’ve got the latest in modern gadgetry, miracle cleaners and fast talking pitchmen jumbled together in one spot. We consider it our duty as Iowans to consider the latest in household comfort and convenience. This year Snooze Time pillows won out over the purifying electronic foot cleaner. We’d tell you how we pooled our money and bought the bag of three pillows – but our Mommas taught us not to brag.

The Quest Continues
Last month we told you about our quest for the best cheap hamburger in the QC area. We plan to publish our full report later on, but allow us to share a preview from our unscientific research.

The Bent River Brewing Company in Old Moline has a burger deal on Tuesday. Their burgers and fries are good, but their special home-made
catsup is something to write home about. It’s a tangy, slightly spicy habanera pepper flavored blend. When he first experienced this taste treat, Hubby Frank totally lost it. Like a young and fully eared Vincent van Gogh, he painstakingly painted each fry with an artistic design before delivering the morsel to his anxiously waiting taste buds. We heartily recommend you that you too paint your tongue and tonsils with this flavorful brew.

And, we appreciate those brave souls who shared their favorite burger deals with us. We still need your secret spot. If you do these kinds of things, email us at GailandToniQCA@gmail.

Why Do Hearing Aids Cost So Much?

You know the feeling you get when someone has just quoted you a price that is much higher than you expected? Yeah, that one! When was the last time you had that feeling? Was it a car repair? A home repair? Maybe a service charge on your cell phone? Maybe it was when you were purchasing a new pair of hearing aids! Many people are surprised by the seemingly high cost of hearing aids, and that is understandable. What is it, exactly, that you are purchasing for that amount of money?

The most obvious answer may be the cost of the parts and production of the device. However, a lot more goes into a hearing aid than the parts and pieces. Before a hearing aid is designed, a lot of research goes into what that hearing aid will do and how it will accomplish that task. For example, many hearing aids now have background noise management technology. It takes a team of researchers to study how background noise effects conversations, what makes noise different from the speech you are trying to hear, and how we can make a hearing aid sort the noise from the speech. Others determine what components will be necessary to make this new technology work. Then, other researchers look into how to make this new hearing aid attractive. It can have the best technology there is, but if it’s an ugly hearing aid, how many people are really going to wear it? Each new design of hearing aid and each new development in hearing technology comes with the cost of the research behind it.

Then, there is the audiologist. Many audiologists bundle in the charge for their services with the purchase price of the hearing aid. This means that you are purchasing the audiologist’s time and expertise as well as the hearing aid. An audiologist uses his or her training to help prescribe the best hearing aid technology for you and your hearing loss. This decision is based on both the results of your hearing test and your report as to the situations in which you are having the most difficulty. Once the hearing aid is ordered, the audiologist then programs, or sets, the hearing aids to get you the right amount of volume for your hearing loss. When the audiologist fits you with your hearing aids, there are tests done to make sure the hearing aids are working as well as they should be. Often, the audiologist will need to make adjustments to this programming based these tests and on your listening experience. This may take a few visits. After that, there is the routine maintenance and repairs- just like any other mechanical device, hearing aids do sometimes break down.

There are many different types of hearing aids available today. Some have all the latest technology and all the “bells and whistles.” Some aids have very basic technology and others are somewhere in between. The level of technology that is used in the hearing aid has the most bearing on the cost of that hearing aid. When purchasing new hearing aids, be sure to discuss your listening needs as well as your price-range. Ask the
audiologist to explain what comes with the purchase of your hearing aids. What kind of a warranty will you receive? Do you get services such as programming and maintenance? If so, for how long? Does the audiologist do anything to verify that the hearing aid you purchased is really doing what it’s supposed to do? Your audiologist is willing help you find the best possible solution that will give you the best listening experience possible with your budget.

So, what’s the bottom line? You are not just purchasing hearing aids! The price tag may seem high at first, but remember- you are investing in your hearing! Hearing is your connection to the world around you and the people you love- which is priceless!

Hello. I am a humble, effervescent liquid. Humble? Well, that is debatable. Actually I am quite proud of myself. Allow me to brag a little.

I fizz, sparkle, and bubble my way into thousands of people all over the world every day. I have a lot of power! I can cause masses of
humanity to make beelines for snack dispensers in plush, high-rise buildings. I stir men, women, and children to dash into their cars late at night to speed to therir nearest 24-hour convenience store. I motivate others to root through their purses or pockets for the last vestiges of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters which they will gladly part with in exchange for me. The best thing about me is: I am addicting. I am responsible for giving thousands of addicts their daily “fixes.” This is because I sometimes contain a substance called “caffeine.” Caffeine is a stimulant. It makes their hearts beat fast and makes their nervous systems work like crazy. They feel as though they could take on the world. I tell you, I have overwhelming personal magnetism. I’m a sneaky double agent, too. I pretend to give people all the good they need because caffeine gives them a “lift.” However, a few hours afterward they come crashing “down”, get shaky, and need me again… for another pseudo-change. This plays havoc with their hearts and nerves, but they still look to me for relief. I feel very, very proud that I call the shots.

To give me an appetizing brown tint, I contain “caramel coloring”, which has genetic effects and is a cancer-causing suspect. I sometimes have polyethylene glycol as one of my ingredients. Glycol is used in antifreeze in automobiles and as an oil solvent.

The bubbles and fizz with which I potently harm human insides is caused by my phosphoric acid and carbon dioxide. The phosphorus in the acid upsets the body’s calcium phosphorus ratio and dissolves calcium out of the bones. This can eventually result in Osteoporosis, a weakening of the skeletal structure, which can make one susceptible to broken bones. Also, the phosphorus fights with hydrochloric acid in human stomachs and renders it ineffective. This promotes indigestion, bloating and gassiness in many individuals. Carbon dioxide is a waste product exhaled by humans, but they ingest it when they drink me.

I offer a selection of three types of sweeteners, according to customer’s preference. The sweeteners are: Saccharin or Aspartame in diet types, and Sugar or Corn Syrup in my regular drinks. These substances enhance my appeal and come disguised as “good” for everyone. Saccharin taste can be deceiving! Let me explain.

Saccharin is an artificial sweetener, which has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. There are warning labels on all my containers in which saccharin is an ingredient. Aspartame comes under the brand name Nutrasweet and has been linked to convulsions, depression, insomnia, immobility, weakness, dizziness, headaches, mood changes and mental retardation. When you have a health problem you may want to check out your local vending machine.

So what am I trying to tell all you who faithfully drink me unaware of my hidden secrets? Perhaps moderation would serve you well. If you drink me many times a day – beware. Your body can only function without “proper” nutrition for so long before it will break down in disease. I will cause it to break down. So if you must drink me do so in moderation, remembering that you are what you eat….or drink.

In today’s ever-changing world of technology, a “backup” or the process of “backing up” your computer refers to making copies of your computer files so that these copies may be used to restore the original files after a data loss event. A data loss event can be anything that causes your files not to be available, including an unintential deletion of a file, a software bug or virus, theft of your computer, power failure or spikes, and a complete computer or hard drive “crash.”

Backing up your data is the most important, yet also one of the most neglected areas of computing. Backing up your data should be at the top of your computer maintenance list, right next to Virus Protection. If you don’t have a backup, you risk losing your data… permanently. I have often heard: “It’s not a matter of IF you’ll lose your data, it’s a matter of WHEN”. 66% of Internet users surveyed claimed to have experienced at least one major loss of data files without current backup copies.

Why do a back up?

You might think that you probably don’t really have anything worth backing up, nothing important, no big deal. Let’s go through just a few items to jog your memory.

Let’s start with your favorite places on the Internet and that long list of bookmarks. How about the e-mail addresses from your family and friends? What about that to-do list, calendar or all of those great photos? How about that family history you collected over the years and put into a database? Think about that saved game of your favorite game where it took you weeks or months to get to that level. These are just the most common examples, and I know that after thinking about it for a while you will realize that there is a lot of information you don’t want to lose. THAT, my friend, is why you should back up your data regularly.

What data should you back up?

The answer is simple. Back up anything you can’t replace! Here’s a list to get you started: Documents, Letters, Reports, Spreadsheets, Mailing lists, Email, Financial Records, Tax Returns, Banking records, Investment records, Photographs, Music, Movies/Videos, Addresses, Phone numbers, Saved games, Computer and program settings

How to back up

To make backing up your data easier, it helps if your data is organized. You should make a point of saving all your documents, no matter what it is, in one central location. That’s what the “My Documents” folder is for. You can make subfolders called Private and Business, and subcategorize those more. This way 95% of your backup will be done by simply copying the My Documents folder, which is very easy and convenient. But don’t forget, as I mentioned earlier, to also back up your bookmarks and e-mail data. If you use MS Internet Explorer, you need to back up the folder C:\Windows\Favorites which contains the bookmarks and the folder C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book for your e-mail addresses and the folder C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook Express for your e-mail if you use Outlook Express. If you use Netscape, you need to back up the folder C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\(your user name here), it contains all your Netscape related data.

When you back up your computer, you need to make sure to keep the copy of your important files in a separate location for retrieval in case of an emergency. Keeping a copy of it in another folder on the same hard drive is not a good idea. You should put your backup on a separate media such as a CD or a portable hard drive. Preferably, you have two backups on two separate types of media in two places.

Recently I have seen some ads for online backup storage, where you can rent disk space online and upload your data for backup.

Additional Considerations

The backups described above will of course only back up the data files or documents. This means if you lose a hard drive, you need to reinstall the operating system and the programs first and then retrieve the data. If you want to save yourself the hassle of reinstalling everything, there are programs that will take a snapshot of your drive and save an image of the drive as is. When you have to start over with a blank hard drive, you just restore the disk image and you’re back in business, no reinstalling of any programs are necessary.

If you want the backup process to happen automatically, you can get a backup program that does the backup on a regular basis and lets you schedule full and incremental backups.

Last, remember to back up regularly. You don’t want to have something happen to your data, then restore your backup just to realize it is 6 months old. Depending on your computer activity, you should back up either weekly or at least monthly. It is also a good idea to store your
backups off-site, like in your safe deposit box in your bank or anywhere else where they can’t be harmed when your house burns down or is
burglarized. It’s your data, keep it safe

Some months ago I mentioned how siblings often help Mom and Dad to find the ideal retirement housing. And I described how brother and sister Frank and Linda helped their mom to resolve the issues of housing and the financing options. Mom is all moved in now and she’s so pleased with her Dan Dolan town home that she’s referring her friends to us. One of her recent referrals, a widow with no children of her own, asked Frank and Linda to help her as well. So they all visited with me at one of my open houses recently with their list of needs.

They handed me the list:

1. To find “the best” all-on-one-floor accommodations to replace the current older, stair-studded home with the large high-maintenance yard and,
2. To visit bankers, financial consultants, builders and anyone else who could offer input on how best to achieve the housing need while
helping to preserve the financial assets that the elderly widow and her husband had worked so hard to achieve.

Armed with their findings, Frank and Linda would suggest some possible options to mom’s friend and if the right home/financing package could be assembled, the moving process would be put into motion. I was pleased to work with Frank and Linda along with their “client,” and I feel that I was able to provide input that the trio found helpful and appropriate to their needs.

Like Frank and Linda’s mom, the friend, (let’s call her “Judy”) is currently mobile and hopes to remain that way. Nevertheless, she wanted a home that would allow her to “age in place.” Specifically, should she need a wheelchair or walker to get around in the future, Judy wanted a new home not only all on one floor but which could facilitate mobility, bathing, laundry and easy access to all the home’s amenities. She was interested in efficient utilities, a full basement for storage and a two-car garage. I was happy to point out that our town homes at all locations in Davenport, Blue Grass, Muscatine, Clinton and Iowa City all met Judy’s criteria.

Additionally, we feature an insulated concrete wall between units for a safer, quieter environment. And our homeowners’ association monthly fee for lawn maintenance and snow removal is still only $65 a month.

Judy was particularly impressed to find that our town homes are not subject to future “assessments” for street repair, window or roofreplacement, etc. The reason: Our town homes are not condos where the association owns and maintains all the outside space. In fact, our homes are “zero lot line homes” meaning that homeowners own the inside and outside of the home and the yard so they can plant a tree here or flowers there if they so choose. Pets are allowed. The homes are built on a public street as opposed to “private” streets that are maintained by the homeowners. In other words, our homes are just like the “regular” home they currently own. But we mow the lawn and remove the snow. “It’s carefree living” Linda suggested.

When it came to Judy’s estate plan, she wanted to preserve as much of her hard earned wealth as possible, I reminded her that I’m not an estate planner but that I could share some of the experiences of our buyers who faced the same situation. We have buyers who pay cash for their new home. They believe that their home represents their primary investment and that they prefer not to have to deal with a monthly mortgage payment. I indicated that we accept cash at a closing but I reminded Judy that the home will appreciate at the same rate regardless of the amount of equity in the home. In essence, then, the equity in the home is not earning any investment return. Conversely, the homeowner is not incurring any mortgage interest expense.

A very popular home financing option since January of 2009 has been the use of the Reverse Mortgage for Purchase. Prior to that date, Reverse mortgages could not be used to buy a home. They were strictly a source for releasing the available equity in your
existing home to either help make home repairs or to receive an income stream to supplement living expenses. A Reverse Mortgage for Purchase works differently.

Since Congress approved the use of a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase of a home, a home buyer makes a one-time down payment, takes title to the home and lives there as long as desired. Upon vacating the home, it is sold, the proceeds are used to liquidate the mortgage balance and the excess proceeds go the homeowner or the estate. However, the liability never exceeds the value of the home so neither the homeowner nor the estate are ever left with a remaining “balance due.”

What homebuyers like about this mortgage:

1. The down payment is based on the age of the younger borrower. The older the borrower, the lower the down payment. For instance, a 76 year old buyer of a $200,000 home would pay about $75,000 down. There are no further mortgage payments ever. Owners pay their real estate taxes, insurance and the $65 monthly fee for lawn maintenance and snow removal. That’s it.
2. Because there are no monthly mortgage payments, housing expenses are fixed so income such as social security benefits or pension benefits can be used for living expenses generally without need for withdrawing from a 401K or other investment accounts.
3. Any funds from the sale of the existing home not used for the new home down payment can be invested as desired.
4. Should the husband or wife become incapacitated or pass, the remaining member needs not be concerned about the source of funds for mortgage expenses. There are none.
5. Upon the passing of both mom and dad, the estate need not worry about how to pay off the mortgage. In fact, there may be proceeds in excess of the mortgage payoff that would revert to the estate.

Other buyers elect to put down 20% of the purchase price and use a conventional mortgage to cover the remainder. In some instances, they use the proceeds from the sale of the existing home and/or,other investment returns to cover the mortgage payments. For them that is the preferred home financing option. Heretofore that has not been my preference.

The financing surprise

In researching the financing options for Judy, Frank and Linda weighed the convenience of a reverse mortgage for purchase with its related costs, to the costs of a conventional mortgage. Banks have been quoting very attractive interest rates on conventional mortgages—like 3.75% and 4%– while RM interest rates seem to be stuck at 5.4% or so. Frank and Linda “ran the number” for Judy and much to my surprise, they concluded that the combination of lower mortgage rates and lower processing costs of a conventional 15 year mortgage would best meet Judy’s needs. Frank, Linda and Judy made several visits to our model homes before selecting the one that best met Judy’s needs. Once the decision was made, Judy’s existing home was sold and there were proceeds in excess of the required down payment to help Judy service the mortgage for several years without need to dip into savings or a 401K. After the move was made and the pictures hung, Judy took a long delayed cruise to Alaska knowing she would come home to her new home where the lawn was mowed and the yard maintained.

We encourage seniors looking to make the housing decisionto visit one of our open houses to see and hear the Dan Dolan Homes story and to
discuss the financing options available. In Davenport, we are across from Fareway Market off 53rd St. where we have a $189,900 home and a stand-alone town home at $217,900.Don Gibeault, our Realtor host, is there Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 PM. We also have town homes at a number of price points in Blue Grass and Muscatine. Call me at 563-570-1460 for the open house hours. We hope to see you soon.

By Joe Hutter

With economic times as they are, debt collection has been increasing. You may have a son or daughter who has been having financial difficulties, and they do have a right to be treated fairly.

Debt collectors can call only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., 7 days a week. They must go through court to garnish your wages. There are other laws regarding debt collection and if you have questions, call the Attorney General’s Office of your state for more information. In Iowa, call 1- 888-777-4590.

We had a good day at the Fair on Thursday, August 5th. Members of the Scott County Sheriff’s Office and RSVP were at our booth. The Plus 60 club was also there. Remember to attend Senior Day at the fair next year!

Mark September 9th on your calendar as the Senior Expo will be in Bettendorf at the Waterfront Convention Center. There will be many booths and entertainment from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Details will be in the Quad City Times. It will be an enjoyable day for you and your friends.

Looking for something to do this fall and winter? RSVP is always looking for volunteers, and they do have something for you. They have needs for one day or something on-going. You volunteer when you want to. If interested, call Linda Nielsen or Dave Layton at 793-4425.

If you want to know more about items you receive in the mail, asking for immediate response in an official looking envelope, show it to your children or a friend. Most items you get in the mail just want to get you to send in your money. Be careful with your money and personal information.

If you’re looking for fun on Saturday, September 18th, stop by the Starlight Ballroom at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds for the Up With Families Dance – Fundraiser featuring music by Pulse-Ox, a crowd-pleasing, fun band! Doors open at 5 pm. Music from 6 to 10 pm.

The cost is $5 per adult and $2 for kids age 3 – 12. Tickets available at the door only! All proceeds benefit Up With Families. Up With Families is a local volunteer, non-profit organization that supports families with children with special needs through a weekend retreat to help them connect with peers and community resources. www.upwithfamiliesdavenport.com.

Take care!

A Great Activity to Share with the Grandchildren!

Beginning September 1, the Davenport Public Library will offer nine different story time sessions each week! Story times are vital to a child’s development because they teach verbal skills, coordination, socialization, and listening skills. The Library’s story times are planned with specific age groups in mind, with each session featuring age-appropriate songs, stories, fingerplays, and more. Story times are as much for the parents as they are for the child. Parents will learn tips and tricks on how to educate their kids by making reading fun and engaging. It is also an opportunity to talk with other parents and caregivers, as well as the librarians who can suggest age-appropriate materials available for check-out. Everyone in the Quad Cities is invited to Davenport Public Library’s numerous story time sessions:

Baby Story Time

Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. – Fairmount Branch Library
(3000 N. Fairmount Street)

Fridays at 10:00 a.m. – Eastern Avenue Branch Library
(6000 Eastern Avenue)

Toddler Story Time

Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. – Eastern Avenue Branch Library
Fridays at 10:00 a.m. – Fairmount Branch Library

Preschool Story Time

Mondays at 10:00 a.m. – Fairmount Branch Library
Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. – Eastern Avenue Branch Library
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. – Main Library (321 Main Street)

Family Story Time

Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. – Fairmount Branch Library
Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. – Eastern Avenue Branch Library

Story times will run weekly through December 18th. For more information about our story time sessions, call 563-326-7832, or visit www.davenportlibrary.com.

Center Turn Lanes

Many communities are changing the flow of traffic from four lanes to three lanes, utilizing a shared center turn lane. Some call it a ‘road diet’, reducing the number of traffic lanes, which is utilized to reduce left turn crashes. The Iowa Department of Transportation Driver’s Manual gives the example pictured at right.

These center lanes are reserved for making left turns (or U-turns when they are permitted) but can be used by vehicles traveling in both directions. On the pavement, left-turn arrows for traffic in one direction alternate with left-hand arrows for traffic coming from the other direction. these lanes are marked on each side by a solid yellow and dashed yellow lines.

Below are a few suggestions to handle the situation safely:

• Be sure not to get into the lane too soon. The longer drivers are driving in the center lane, the more likely they are to meet someone coming the other way.
• Be quick. Drivers should give themselves just enough time to enter the shared lane, straighten the car, signal the turn and, if they must, stop before making the turn.
• Watch for cars on side roads. They may want to cut across the driver’s path to reach the other side of the street.
• Do NOT use the center lane for passing. It is for turning traffic only.
• Do NOT use the lane to pass through an intersection.
• Make sure your wheels remain pointed straight ahead when waiting in a center lane. Should your vehicle be struck from behind, wheels turned in preparation for a left turn will move your bumped car into oncoming traffic; straight wheels will keep you safely in the center lane.

Having traffic moving in opposite directions using these lanes at the same time can be a stress-inducer. Normally, the low speeds involved keep conflicts at a minimum. Remember that even if the other driver was in the lane first, both directions of traffic still have the right to use it. The only sane way to deal with multiple vehicles using the lane at the same time is to be unfailingly courteous and try to fit into the lane in a way that is a win/win for all participants.